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1996 Saturn SL: brake failure

15 of the 285 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL describe brake failure.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
5%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

Brake failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · RI · 1 injury

Tl* - the contact would like to make a complaint concerning the brakes on 1996 saturn sl2. The contact stated that she was driving 35 MPH when she was cut off by another car. She then applied the brake pedal which gave no resistance. The contact stated that before being cut off the brakes did work. The contact stated that the car finally stopped after she pumped the brakes. The contact continued to drive at approximately 5 MPH until she reached her destination and had the car towed to a saturn dealership. The contact stated that this brake failure occurred approximately december 5, 2006. The contact stated that it was a nice day, and that the weather was not a factor. The contact pulled muscles in her body, and was currently on muscle relaxants. The contact asked the saturn dealer for the damaged parts and was told that the parts were thrown away. The contact also stated that she has had problems with the brakes pulsating and going all the way down to the floor since she purchased the car. The contact stated had brake work done in 2001 at 36,000 miles, the brake calipers had failed. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency by the rhode island state attorney's office.

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Brakes · MO

While applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor vehicle was unable to stop on its on. Driver was able to stop by turning off the vehicle for fifteen minutes, then restarted it and drove to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that ABS control unit system needed to be replaced.

Filed Oct 13, 2000 · Brakes · TX

Brake failure when coming to a stop.brake pedal went to the floor car was very slow to stop.after the first failure brake shop was unable to find a problem with the brake system.the second failure was at the same speed 35 m/h with the brake pedal having the same action.saturn was unable to find problem the second time and tested it two times.

Filed Jun 19, 2000 · Brakes · FL

Brakes failed due to the brake line to the rear wheel being corroded.

Filed Oct 25, 1999 · Brakes · PA

When traveling down an incline about 25 MPH and upon depressing the brake pedal, pedal went to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, also, emergency parking brake was enganged in order to stop vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.

Filed Oct 20, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, the brakes failed and weren't stopping the vehicle properly. Also, there is virbration within the steering and a short within the electrical system.

Filed Dec 21, 1998 · Engine · OH

Engine RPM will increase to 3500 whether at idle or driving at 55 MPH. This happens on a daily basis. If the engine is turned off , the car willn't start unless the accelerator pedal is pressed to the flour. Automatic transmission cars experiencing this problem may find it difficult to slow the car upon braking unless they were to shift the car into nuetral. It is highly possible that some saturn owners aren't aware of the problem if they own an automatic. In the office of defects investigation (complaints database) there were 8 or 9 cases of brake failure . Were these failures as a result of uncontrolled RPM motor speed? Odi id 816070 indicated a problem which may be attributed to this condition. This problem in automatic transmission cars will lead to premature brake rotor and pad wear not to mention the failure of the car to stop within the assurred normal distance.

Filed Oct 1, 1997 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Upon approaching an intersection and facing a red light, attempted to slow down, but foot slipped and stepped on gas pedal, vehicle lost control, resulting in 2 collisions/injuries. Also brakes failed to stop vehicle.

Filed Jan 29, 1997 · Brakes · CA

Brake failure, when applying the brakes the pedal goes to the floor and continues to fade, intermittently failes, in for repairs, found no problem.

Filed Dec 27, 1996 · Brakes · IL · crash

Brake failure, driving at speed of 15 MPH, frontal collision, impact 12:00, applied brakes, resulting in extended stopping distance. *ak

Filed Dec 5, 1996 · Brakes · KS · crash

While attempting to park vehicle in garage, brakes failed/would not stop vehicle, vehicle went through garage door and hit door dividing garage and house.

Filed Oct 29, 1996 · Brakes · TN · crash

Consumer states that vehicle vibrated before the brakes failed, causing an accident to occur.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 1996 Saturn SL brake failure

Is brake failure a common problem on the 1996 Saturn SL?

15 of 285 owner complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL (5%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 1996.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Saturn SL?

There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.

Other symptoms on the 1996 Saturn SL

No deployment 8Engine failure 8Tire blowout 8Adaptive cruise 7ABS 6Oil consumption 6Seat belt 6Grinding brakes 5Check engine light 5Overheating 5Premature wear 5

All model years of the Saturn SL

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